Ecclesiastes 10:5

Ecclesiastes 10:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
• New International Version (NIV)There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
• English Standard Version (ESV)There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
• New King James Version (NKJV)There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:5

3Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is. 4If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses. I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes. 6Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions. 7I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.

Ecclesiastes 10:5 word by word

יֵ֣שׁ רָעָ֔ה רָאִ֖יתִי תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ כִּשְׁגָגָ֕ה שֶׁיֹּצָ֖א מִלִּפְנֵ֥י הַשַּׁלִּֽיט׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• There isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• an evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
• I have seenרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• under the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121
• as an errorשְׁגָגָהshegâgâh · sin of errorH7684
• proceedethיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
• fromפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• the rulerשַׁלִּיטshallîyţ · domineeringH7989

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:5

• Ecclesiastes 4:7So I again considered another futile thing on earth:
• Ecclesiastes 5:13Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.
• Ecclesiastes 6:1Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people:
• Ecclesiastes 9:3This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives – then they die.
• Ecclesiastes 3:16I saw something else on earth: In the place of justice, there was wickedness, and in the place of fairness, there was wickedness.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5An error which proceedeth from the ruler - What this error in the ruler is, the two following verses point out: it is simpiy this - an injudicious distribution of offices, and raising people to places of trust and confidence, who are destitute of merit, are neither of name nor family to excite public confidence, and are without property; so that they have no stake in the country, and their only solicitude must naturally be to enrich themselves, and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-10Verses 4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-7Giving power to those who cannot use it wisely is a big mistake. Favoritism, nepotism, extortion, and bribery can put reckless people in powerful positions.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. as--rather, "by reason of an error" [Maurer and Holden].Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:5

• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• Ignorance
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings